Applying to college can feel endless. Deadlines begin in October and the final decision may come after graduation for students on a “Wait List.”

When students apply, colleges can decide “Yes,” “No” or “You have been offered a spot on our Wait List.” Admissions offices strive to enroll their target number for the class. If not, they can invite from their wait list (WL). Sounds reasonable and it is, if colleges use the wait list reasonably.

However, some colleges offer the Wait List to a ridiculous number of students. Some of the most competitive colleges offer almost as many students the WL as they enroll. If we consider that some of these also fill about half of their class at Early Action or Early Decision, the numbers are even more absurd.

For 2014, Yale University received 30,932 applications, admitted 1,950 and enrolled 1,360. They offered a spot on their WL to 1,324, almost as many as they enrolled. Their Common Data Set does not say how many students were admitted from the WL that year but, for 2013, they wait listed 998 and admitted 42. Some years Yale admitted more students and other years, fewer.

That same year, the University of Pennsylvania received 35,866 applications, admitted 3,718, enrolled 2,425 and offered the WL to 2,651 students — more than they enrolled. That year they admitted 136 students from the WL.

Colleges would be quick to point out that they offer a spot on the wait list and not everyone accepts. Fair enough. But they know their numbers — the percentage who are likely to enroll and how many they may need after May 1. When Penn offered 2,651 students a spot on the WL, 1,600 students took it. Penn had already admitted 1,299 at Early Decision.

So, the question remains — why do they offer so many more spots on the WL than they will need? Possibly, they want to offer a softer “no” to students who were qualified but weren’t chosen. Maybe it is a way to protect their yield.

Stepping back from the super competitive colleges, the numbers make more sense. Some have more variability from year to year, or fewer admitted students enroll.

For 2014, the University of Connecticut offered spots on their wait list to 4,259 students, 1,927 remained on the WL and they admitted 1,564. The year before UConn offered fewer spots on the WL and admitted only 24, so the numbers vary from year to year.

What should students do if offered a spot on the Wait List at First Choice U?

First, it should be noted that the student should be doing this — not the parent.

Respond that you want to remain on the Wait List.

Tell them about new honors or awards received after your application was submitted.

Ask if the college ranks their wait list and if so, how.

Students who have applied for need-based financial aid should ask if those who are offered the chance to be admitted will be offered financial aid. Some colleges may be able to offer financial aid at this point and some may not.

Ask if there is anything else you can do — does the college want an additional letter of recommendation or updated grades?

The most important thing students should do is move on. Choose the college you will attend from those that have accepted your application and send your deposit by May 1. Then put your emotional energy into that choice and be happy. Don’t pine for the college that wait listed you.

Don’t plant yourself outside the office with a sign or dress like the mascot.

Don’t stalk.

What if? Colleges will call after they have their replies, as early as May 2 or even in August after “summer melt.” If the college calls, students may have only one or two days to decide. If the answer is yes, they will lose the deposit at the other college, but if this is where they really want to be, it’s good news.

Janet Rosier is a certified educational planner and an independent educational consultant in Westport.